Letters to the EDitor 3/1/2017

Editor: I believe, based on his words and actions before, during and after the campaign and since his inauguration, that President Donald Trump is mentally unstable.

He may suffer from narcissistic personality disorder, which makes him incapable of intelligent and rational thought or action, incapable of dealing with criticism and challenges and prevents him from competently discharging his duties as president.

He clearly displays all the symptoms of this disorder, which, according to the Mayo Clinic, include:

■ Having an exaggerated sense of self-importance.

■ Expecting to be recognized as superior even without achievements that warrant it.

■ Exaggerating achievements and talents.

■ Requiring constant admiration.

■ Having an inability or unwillingness to recognize the needs and feelings of others.

A person suffering from this mental disorder has “trouble handling anything that may be perceived as criticism.” Trump reacts with rage or contempt and belittles anyone who disagrees with or criticizes him.

John D. Gartner, a psychotherapist who taught psychiatric residents at Johns Hopkins University Medical School, publicly has stated that “Donald Trump is dangerously mentally ill and temperamentally incapable of being president.” Gartner believes Trump has “malignant narcissism,” a syndrome characterized by a narcissistic personality disorder, antisocial features, paranoia, an absence of conscience, a psychological need for power and a sense of grandiosity.

I feel strongly that his mental disability makes Trump a disaster waiting to happen and truly fear for the future of the nation and world if he is permitted to remain as president. Vice President Mike Pence, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and members of Congress must work together for the good of the nation to remove Trump from office for mental incompetence under the 25th Amendment to the Constitution before it is too late.

ROBERT D. FLACH

HAWLEY

Security jeopardized

Editor: As a former naval intelligence officer, I am concerned with the administration’s adverse impact on our national security.

It appears President Donald Trump’s campaign aides, including former Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn, contacted Russian officials during the presidential election and it might have compromised our democratic election process. Flynn was forced to resign as national security adviser recently in part because of his contact with the Russians.

An organizational change Trump has imposed includes the appointment of Stephen Bannon, an extremist right-wing political adviser, to the National Security Council. This could adversely impact military decisions and delay our responses to military threats because Bannon does not have any knowledge of military affairs and he could intervene with NSC decision-making processes.

Trump continuously accuses our intelligence agencies of leaking classified information to the press and he has berated our intelligence agencies for the poor intelligence on Iraq’s military arsenal under Saddam Hussein.

We need our intelligence agencies to alert our military, the Trump administration and Congress on the status of adversarial governments and their military capabilities, deployments and threats. The security of our country could be in jeopardy due to the disruptive tactics and blame game the Trump administration uses against our intelligence agencies.

DONALD MOSKOWITZ

LONDONDERRY,

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Sinister situation

Editor: In his Feb. 10 letter (“Obama’s legacy”), Sandy Graham rehashes the same old false talking points that right-wingers have used for years in a failed attempt to tarnish President Obama’s legacy.

Instead of trying to rewrite the history of Obama’s eight successful years in office, Mr. Graham should be concerned with the very real possibility that Trump might not finish four years in office.

Just over a month into the Trump administration, a major scandal already has forced national security adviser Michael Flynn to resign because he lied about his conversations with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak regarding the potential easing sanctions against Russia prior to when Trump took office.

It has been revealed that the Justice Department had warned the Trump administration weeks ago that Flynn had lied about his conversations with the Russian ambassador and that this could leave Flynn in a compromised position with the possibility of Russia blackmailing him. What did Trump do? He fired acting Attorney General Sally Yates, but, of course, gave a different reason for her dismissal. The bottom line is that he continued to keep this information from going public in an effort to cover up the scandal.

You would have to be a complete fool to think that Trump did not know, did not have prior knowledge about what Flynn discussed with the Russian ambassador. This scandal is real and is just the tip of the iceberg. There is something very sinister going on between the Trump administration and Russia’s Vladimir Putin. Just look at the close ties with Putin between Trump, Flynn and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to know that something is just not right.

BEN EGLESIA

DICKSON CITY

Tax relief needed

Editor: I keep reading that people are clamoring for a reassessment in Lackawanna County.

I think the majority of people are more interested in property tax relief. This antiquated way of making property owners pay the freight for everyone is totally unfair and it’s time for change. I would hope that this year Gov. Tom Wolf and our legislators will finally pass legislation to do away with property taxes.

This area has a high population of elderly people who can no longer be expected to pay this unfair tax. Raising the state income tax and sales tax is more equitable. Meanwhile, it’s time for the county and school districts to cut spending.

ANN WILLIAMS

PECKVILLE

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